Pages

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Why we blog?

Connie who blogs under the name of Couturesmith wrote a very interesting post yesterday called, "Just Procrastinating" However, her title does not elude to what piqued my interest...these sentences did:

"Instead I find myself ruminating about readership and comments. Silly yes- I mean, I maintain this blog for strictly personal reasons, (and my own delusions of grandeur of course!) I know that I could never spend the amount of time or energy needed to garner a large corner of the sewing/crafting blogdom."

She goes on to tell a story about another blog and the number of readers on it. And her post made me reflect on why I blog...What is the purpose? And why am I so obsessed (yes I said it!) with the number of visitors, from where and the comments that are left!

Then it hit me - that I blog to have an ongoing conversation with like-minded souls in the blogosphere. I can ramble on about what I love to do and others can read or not read - its their choice…however it gives me a platform to share my sewing dreams, aspirations, garments and thoughts on sewing.

So its like a virtual sewing circle and my blog allows me to have my turn to say what I'm thinking during the course of the conversation. As with all things, you may or may not agree with me...you may think I'm a nut (*LOL*) but you politely read and leave shaking your head...or you comment because you agree or have another point of view (which I love btw because it continues the conversation) and sometimes you are really kind and you gush excitedly about something I'm sewing or I've made or a new sewing toy or adventure I'm taking.

However, all of it just makes me feel like a part of this wonderful sewing community and I enjoy the moment I get to "Have my Say!"

28 comments:

well I don't blog yet, but I do enjoy reading all the sewing blogs I have found. I have almost no sewing buddies where I live, so it is great to read from like-minded people. I really enjoy your blog because I have learned so many new, relevant to me, ways to sew.Joyce (in British Columbia)

Happy Mother's Day, Carolyn. You hit it on the head - blogging is a conversation and the power of the internet broadens who we can talk to exponentially, right? I lurk on your blog all the time and love what you are doing. I'll be back to sewing shortly.... home remodel is almost finished. Enjoy your day!

What a lovely post today, Carolyn. I love being part of a wonderful sewing community, too. I don't always have something insightful enough for a comment, but you've got a very dedicated reader in me -- even when I don't have something to say. :)

I love your reason! Same as mine! As much as my DH loves me, I sure he doesn't want to hear my yammering on about sewing this, knocking off that. I have to have some sort of outlet where others may have an interest.

Carolyn, your blog is one of the first things I read the minute my computer goes on. It's the sewing, the wonderful ramblings and the "conversation" as you put it. Most of us have no sewing buddies to speak of, so we wandered onto the land of the sewing blogs, but what a land it is thanks to great bloggers like you.Marguerite

I find the "conversations" that I miss having with my mother. She would come up with things for me to sew--for her, for me, for her workmates (mostly halloween costumes for primary teachers), or for my children. She would casually redraft a pattern or help me with fitting issues. There were always way more projects than time or energy allowed. But what we created! I find the answers to some of the questions I would have asked her, if she were still living, here in blogland. So thank you to all the bloggers who write. I read and occassionally comment but don't blog...yet(?)!!

I really appreciate this community of bloggers -- my OSBs - Online Sewing Buddies. Erica said it best - as much as our husbands, children or friends love us, they don't want to hear about our sewing adventures. I'm glad to be a part this community.

Happy Mothers Day, Carolyn. I, too, have wondered why I enjoy reading blogs so much. I live in rural NSW on the east coast of Australia. I do not know anyone who sews, knits or does anything crafty. I have friends, but no-one who shares my interests. I love checking in each day and sewing what all my sewing sisters are doing around the world. Plus, age and cultural differences don't matter, we each have something to offer the other and I am constantly learning from you and all the other blogs I read. In days gone by I would have been able to ask aunts, grandmothers and sisters for guidance in my sewing endeavours. Now I look to the blogs of my sewing sisters and my life is enriched for it in more ways than just sewing. Thank you for being part of that circle.Carol Trendall

Carolyn, Happy Mother's Day. I don't have a blog but I so enjoy reading about others' sewing adventures. I now have a group of friends who sew thru my ASG chapter. However, there are times when I cannot leave home (health reasons)so sewing blogs and websites keep me inspired to continue sewing. Thank you for all that you do to spread the message of sewing.

I had to start blogging because I felt left out of the conversation. I always felt that, while I enjoyed reading other people's blogs, I was left as a wallflower joining in with short comments and no place to share my POV or projects, or whatever else I wanted to share. It's the community that makes me want to blog, thanks for putting it into words. I feel exactly the same about it.

Sewing bloggers perform an invaluable service to those of us who share their passion: they make our sewing community larger while at the same time make the world smaller. I love knowing that women (okay - *mostly* women) all over the world share this interest and can exchange ideas and goals and inspiration.

Happy Mother's day to you as well!I definitely don't blog as I have dial up only in my rural area. I just recently learned to respond to the ones I have been enjoying. I don't know another soul that can sew garments in my area any more(none of the young women or those my age very late fifties have learned) and am very happy to find some larger sized women sewing with such success. It is weary to always be surrounded with those who cannot even hem or do their alterations. mssewcrazy

You blog... and I THANK YOU! I check your blog daily (i'm a bit OCD). Your blog is the reason I have not given up. Your blog totally inspires me- I wanted so much to be able to sew clothes- Quilts I can do... patterns once scared me. Every time I have gotten frustrated and wanted to put the sewing machine away for good you re-inspire me. So... you blog- I have finally been able to sew some wearable clothing and I thank you and others like you for sharing your passion!!

Hi! Just found your blog and I am loving it! You are really a woman after my own heart. You write as I think, believe me, LOL! Anyway, I'm adding you to my favorites list, if that's ok with you. I'll be visiting again.

I started my blog for many of the same reasons. I love reading everyone's blogs and leaving comments. I am tickled pink when someone leaves a comment on my blog and I'm astonished that anyone would want to take the time to read what I've written. Of course I haven't added any projects to mine yet as everything is a work in progress. ;o) But, yes my blog gives me a place to "talk". It's an online diary that forces me to remain focused on the positive. I also knew that once I stepped into blogland that it would inspire and force me to "git 'er done". ;o)

Yup, I started blogging to keep track of my own projects, I continue blogging to maintain the community of friends that I've met and established due to blogging.Some of my virtual friends are as real to me as my face-to-face friends.I count you among them.

Exactly! I felt like a nerd before starting my blog and now I really feel I belong and I meet people from all over the place who share the same interests! I get to inspire others and get inspired by them; it's a giving/receiving very intense experience!

You said: Then it hit me - that I blog to have an ongoing conversation with like-minded souls in the blogosphere. I can ramble on about what I love to do and others can read or not read - its their choice…however it gives me a platform to share my sewing dreams, aspirations, garments and thoughts on sewing.